“I feel the pressure all the time.” Comenius students and I sat around the table talking. Our topics of conversation ranged from “internalized misogyny” to Haitian views of American racism to the vocation of being a student. One of the talking points revolved around a New York Times article about why sports fans may continue … Read more
Imagine there’s no freedom. It’s easy if you try. On the American university campus, you don’t have to imagine. I was teaching a class on Theological Interpretation of Media this past week. On Saturday morning (4 March 2017) I began by reading the full description of an attack on freedom of speech. The Vermont newspaper … Read more
“It happens all the time.” We were discussing social media communication. My young friend and I were discussing what he sees and hears on the college campus. “Relationships are based on convenience,” he began. “Students surround themselves with people who think like they think.” My face frowned, “Isn’t that exactly the opposite of what should … Read more
“No. No. No. No.” Every question I asked received the same response. She had been studying psychology, specifically, the theories of personality. “In your class was the idea of ‘person’ linked with ‘personality’?” I asked. “No,” she responded. “Did your professor discuss the origin of human personage?” I asked. “No,” she responded. “Were there any … Read more
None of us thinks alone. We all face social pressure from our social groups. My friendships are broad. Some swear by CNN, others by Fox. There are those who ally themselves with Rush, others with NPR. One group call themselves “progressive” another, “conservative.” Certain groups cheered this past election, others cried. Select folks begin discussions … Read more